Sigma is Making a Cine Version of the 28-45mm f/1.8 Art, Its First to Feature Autofocus
Sigma announced that it is developing a cinema version of the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art lens it announced earlier this year and will showcase it at the upcoming IBC show in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
IBC, or the International Broadcasting Convention, is one of the largest international exhibitions for cinema and broadcast journalism, similar to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show that takes place in Las Vegas every winter. IBC holds its event in the fall and in 2024, it will be held from September 13 through 16 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.
Sigma will be exhibiting its products at the show and as part of that endeavor, it will showcase the “proof-of-concept AF cinema lens prototype based on the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art” lens. A prototype of the lens, which Sigma confirms is under development, will be shown there, although the company doesn’t say if it will be behind glass or testable by show attendees.
The lens is based on the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art, a lens that it says is a popular optic with filmmakers, and is set to be Sigma’s first ever cinema lens to feature autofocus. It is equipped with a focus ring with a distance indicator, a de-clicked aperture ring, and it is compatible with Φ95mm matte boxes. Sigma did not include any images of the lens in its messaging nor did it provide an idea of how much the lens will cost.
Cine lenses do not typically include autofocus but not including autofocus isn’t what makes a design suitable for “cinema” purposes. Really, the only thing that differentiates a photography lens from a cinema lens is the build, which is why the optical formula of Sigma’s Cine line lenses doesn’t differ from those made for photography. Cinema camera operators need a lens that can be mounted to a rig, controlled with follow-focus tools, and features a de-clicked aperture. Beyond that, almost anything goes as long as the lens is sharp and has the “character” a cinematographer is looking for.
Typically, autofocus is not included in cinema lenses because most high-end filmmakers and cinematographers pull focus manually instead of relying on a camera’s autofocus. That said, the autofocus algorithms included in modern cameras are becoming better at mimicking manual focus pulls, so it’s possible Sigma is just planning for the future or giving filmmakers more options.
The lens will join Sigma’s full line of Cine lenses at the show and the company says that “all products” will be available to try in a dedicated testing space, although Sigma does not specify if this includes the prototype 28-45mm f/1.8 cine lens.
Image credits: Sigma
